25. Be Receptive: When we are receptive to the possibilities of higher consciousness, we are open to grace.

26. Allowing: A big part of making progress in meditation is “allowing” progress to happen; “allow” the changes to take place…accept them.

27. Smile: As you begin your meditations, smile. Just a little smile, a hint of a smile. You will notice that it will help to shift your attitude toward your meditations, especially if you find that you are not in the mood to meditate. Smiling can dissolve your inner shadows, and allow the light of Spirit to shine.

Right Mindfulness / Open Awareness: Remain alert, attentive and aware in your practice. Mindfulness means awareness of the mind, and awareness of what the mind is aware of. This kind of awareness can be called open observation, or open attentiveness. Mindfulness, which is an attentive awareness of the reality of things (especially of the present moment), helps us develop a comprehension of whatever is taking place, both inside us and in the world around us.

Right Concentration / Focused Awareness: Maintain a steady mind. Keep focused, whether on the present moment, or on an object of meditation. When the mind wanders, gently bring it back to your practice. This requires effort, but without straining. STEADY CONCENTRATION LEADS TO TRUE MEDITATION

Right Meditation / Effortless One-pointedness: effortless, steady and focused awareness on the object you are meditating on. Then body sensations, life force, and mental and emotional fluctuations are all harmonized. Eventually you will ascend above all restlessness, into a heightened state of expanded awareness.

17. Don’t strain: Don’t strain in your practice. Your body is upright, but relaxed. Like a properly tuned violin string, your mind is not too loose, not too tight. Be focused and alert. Be relaxed.

18. Fluctuations in your consciousness: Be aware of the fluctuations in your consciousness: the good thoughts, the bad thoughts, the flights of fantasy, the memories and the sluggish, sleeplike state of “no awareness.” Can you rise above your mental and emotional turbulence? Or, are you floating on your sub-conscious.

19. Keep your eyes closed: Most meditations are done with your eyes closed. You want to focus on your practice, and not be distracted by what is going on around you. However, if you feel that your posture has shifted, open your eyes slightly, adjust your posture, re-orient yourself, then close your eyes again and return your attention to your meditation. (There are meditations you can do with your eyes open).

20. Introspection / Self-Study / Self-Analysis: Meditation helps you to get to know yourself. This is not as simple as it seems. You need to make an honest inquiry into your own inner nature. Self-study gives you the perception and wisdom you need to make adjustments to your character, your actions and your attitudes, where necessary.

14. Practice, practice, practice: If you want to learn to play an instrument, you need to practice. If you want to get in shape, you need to exercise. If you want peace of mind, you need to practice meditation.

15. Be Patient, Be Persistent, Be Present: To receive the benefits of meditation, you need to practice with patience….be kind to your self… don’t rush the practice. With regular practice, positive results are sure to come. So you also need to be persistent. If you fall off the bike, you get back on; if you don’t first succeed, try and try again and again. Be Present: don’t let past memories or concerns for the future monopolize your awareness. It may help to be aware of each breath, of the breath in each moment. Be…in the present moment. Be Here Now.

16. Awareness, alertness, attentiveness: Be aware of the sensations arising from the physical body; watch the thoughts and feelings as you watch a parade go by, or a flock of birds fly by, or leaves floating by on a stream: be alert and attentive, don’t let the mind drift. Be the witness. If the mind drifts, be aware that the mind is drifting, and bring it back to your practice.

12. Yearning: It helps “to want” to meditate, to yearn for the benefits of meditation. What you put into your meditation will come back to you. If you put a mild effort into your practice, you will receive mild results; if you put a moderate effort into your practice, you will receive moderate results; if you put a dedicated effort into your practice, you will make the fastest progress.

13. Law of Attraction: Use the basic principles of the Law of Attraction to assist with your meditations.1) determine why you want to meditate and what the desired results are; 2) put your fullest attention on attaining these results – in other words, learn and practice the meditation techniques that will attract what you want (or need); and 3) allow the benefits of your meditation to integrate with your whole being. Accept them.